2012 NFL Draft: 5 Ways NFL Playoffs Have Shaped Draft so Far

If there is one fitting word to describe this year's NFL playoffs, that would be "unpredictable."

The Green Bay Packers were the heavy favorite heading into the postseason, and just like that, Aaron Rodgers and Co. were bounced in their first game of the playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Steelers represented the AFC in the Super Bowl last season and were among several favorites to return to the big game, and just like the Packers, they were eliminated in their opening game, this one coming against a .500 Denver Broncos team in the AFC Wild Card round.

Of course, it's a nice storyline to see the Patriots and Giants playing in a rematch of that memorable 2008 Super Bowl when the Giants stunned the unbeaten Patriots, but again, who really saw this coming?

But now that the Super Bowl is all set in stone, let's take a look at how this year's playoffs have shaped the 2012 NFL draft. Through upsets, injuries and players stepping up or faltering, several teams have made it clear that they need help in certain spots in this draft.

Let's break down five ways that the 2012 NFL Playoffs have shaped the NFL Draft thus far.

Bleacher Report Style!

1. The NFL's Best Team Will Not Pick Last

Of course, it might not be fair to tag the Packers as the NFL's "Best Team," considering they aren't playing in the Super Bowl. But when it comes down to it, the Packers were 15-1 and were the best team in the league this year before running into a hot New York Giants team, who in return, knocked the Packers out of the playoffs.

The point is that the NFL's best regular season team will not be picking last this season. Green Bay will have the No. 28 selection in this year's NFL Draft, and what the playoffs have taught us is that the Packers are in desperate need of a good defensive back.

If Green Bay had won the Super Bowl and picked at the No. 32 spot, a shutdown corner would likely not be an option, but there is hope with that No. 28 spot.

One guy who comes to mind is former Florida standout Janoris Jenkins, who would have likely been a top-20 pick in last year's draft had he declared. Instead, Jenkins was dismissed from the Florida football program and chose to enroll at North Alabama.

He is a top-20 talent, but because of some off-the-field questions, he could potentially fall into the Packers lap with that No. 28 selection.

2. Detroit Lions Should Have a Shot at Landing an Elite Offensive Lineman

The Detroit Lions finally got over the hump this season, making their first playoff appearance in over a decade.

But while the Lions looked exceptional on the offensive side of the ball at times this season, they still need to sure up that offensive line unit.

With Detroit's first-round loss to New Orleans, the Lions secured the No. 23 spot in the 2012 NFL Draft, which should put them in line to finally snag a capable offensive lineman in the first round.

Ideally, the Lions would be in great shape if they could get offensive tackle Mike Adams from Ohio State. If not, they could also have their eyes on Cordy Glenn from Georgia or Peter Konz from Wisconsin.

Either way, the Lions have put themselves in a position to draft a solid offensive lineman, which in return, will only make that offensive line more dominant in the future.

3. Cincinnati Will Have the Earliest Pick of Any Playoff Team

Not many people expected the Bengals to win more than five games this season, much less make a playoff apperance.

But the Bengals shocked the world with a memorable season, which resulted in a first-round loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card round.

Because of the loss, the Bengals will now have the earliest draft pick of any playoff team. That results in the No. 21 selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

Look for Cincinnati to go defense with this pick, perhaps a cornerback or defensive lineman. There should be plenty of good ones available with this selection.

4. You Need an Elite Quarterback to Win

Joe Flacco and Alex Smith were out to prove the NFL world wrong with the notion that "you need an elite quarterback to win a Super Bowl."

Well, when all is said and done, Flacco and Smith are out, and Tom Brady and Eli Manning, two elite NFL signal-callers, will be going up against one another in the Super Bowl.

This goes to show just how valuable both Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III could be in this year's NFL Draft.

Luck should go No. 1 overall to Indianapolis, and it would be shocking to see Griffin III slip past that No. 6 pick to the Washington Redskins.

5. The Cleveland Browns Will Have Two Picks in the Top-22

How, you ask, are the Cleveland Browns involved in this playoff picture?

Well, the Browns acquired the Atlanta Falcons' first-round pick in that trade during last year's draft, which allowed Atlanta to move up and select Julio Jones. Because of that, the Browns now own the No. 4 and No. 22 picks in this year's draft.

Because the Falcons lost in the early NFC Wild Card game, the Browns have a nice set up for this year's draft.

Look for Cleveland to look closely at drafting an offensive stud, such as Justin Blackmon or Trent Richardson with that No. 4 pick and then looking at a linebacker with that No. 22 pick. Actually, it wouldn't be surprising to see them go with two skill set positions early on.

Let's sit back and see how it all plays out.